Finnish melancholic death/doom outfit Dawn of Solace, led by Tuomas Saukkonen of Wolfheart and Before the Dawn, have announced their fifth full-length album, Skeletons, due February 12, 2027. The band have also unveiled the title track as the lead single, together with an official music video.
Pre-order Skeletons here.
You can also stream the single on your favorite platform.
With ten tracks, Skeletons finds the project in its darkest territory yet. Harsh, growling vocals take a stronger role alongside Mikko Heikkilä’s sombre clean singing, while Saukkonen’s songwriting pairs the weight of doom metal with the darker corners of death and gothic metal.
“Skeletons is a hypnotic nordic pulse that grows darker and stronger until the grandeur of the chorus kicks in and brings a tidal wave of melodies. The whole album is packed with contrast between the harsh and melodic voice of Mikko Heikkilä and ‘Skeletons’ is a perfect musical embodiment of that vast talent that captures both darkness and light.”
Tuomas Saukkonen
Two Decades of Dawn of Solace
Saukkonen formed Dawn of Solace in 2005 as a creative outlet and released the debut The Darkness in 2006. A long hiatus followed before the project returned in 2019, and it has been busy since, with Waves (2020), Flames of Perdition (2022) and Affliction Vortex (2025). With a new album arriving every two to three years, the band has become a steady parallel path to Saukkonen’s work in Wolfheart, and Skeletons continues that run less than two years after the last record.
The new album was recorded, mixed and mastered at Deep Noise Studios by Saku Moilanen of Wolfheart and Bloodred Hourglass, who also plays keys in a session role. Jukka Salovaara handles solo guitar, and the cover art is by Colton Glancey. Dawn of Solace will release Skeletons independently.
Tracklist
- Awakening
- Acid Rain
- Skeletons
- Confusion
- Slumber
- Enlightenment
- Rewind
- Wings
- Voiceless
- Valediction
Our Take
Dawn of Solace has always worked as the quieter, sadder sibling of Wolfheart, so a heavier emphasis on growls is a real change of balance. The appeal here is the contrast Saukkonen describes: one singer carrying both extremes. Releasing it independently also suggests a band confident in its audience. Fans of Swallow the Sun and Insomnium should mark February 12 on the calendar.
Dawn of Solace are: Mikko Heikkilä (vocals), Tuomas Saukkonen (guitars, bass, drums, backing vocals). Session members: Jukka Salovaara (solo guitar), Saku Moilanen (keys).
